Humble Heroes Honoured

Humble Heroes Honoured

Article excerpt

Once again the unsung heroes of North East life have been rewarded in the New Year Honours List.

Community workers, teachers along with figures in medicine and business have been honoured.

Among them is James Michael Taylor, of Prestwick, Newcastle, who has been given an MBE after 52 years involvement with the Ponteland Scout Group.

After helping to develop generations of youngsters, the 62-year-old was stunned.

The father-of-two said: "Like everybody in these things, I don't do it for what I get out of it. You enjoy putting something in.

"I am the noisy one that gets all the blame where other people are doing all the work, especially my wife Beryl who gives fantastic support.

"I was absolutely dumbfounded when I found out about the award, I could not believe it. It means an awful lot to me."

Pensioner Kenneth Caslaw, from North Shields, also picked up an MBE for his services to the Sea Cadet Corps in Whitley Bay.

The 81-year-old was Commanding Officer of the cadets before a stint at the Gosforth branch. He is now back at Whitley Bay where son Paul is the CO.

Mr Caslaw said: "It's a great honour to be recognised this way. I'm an instructor with the cadets now and although I'm 81, I still love helping the kids." He lost his wife Joyce last year and added: "She would have been very proud."

Blyth Valley Councillor Bernard Pidcock, who has managed the Citizens' Advice Bureau in the area for eight years, receives an MBE .

Mr Pidcock, 60, said: "I really did not for one second think that anybody would be interested in Bernard Pidcock MBE, it's almost embarrassing. I am just an ordinary bloke doing my best."

Also named among those honoured was Rachel Ronchetti, of Blaydon, Gateshead, who receives an MBE for her services to disadvantaged young people.

Ms Ronchetti works as operations manager of the Fairbridge Charity, based in Benwell, Newcastle, which works with 13 to 25-year-olds in deprived areas who are unemployed or excluded from school.

She said: "I feel really privileged to have had this job. I have had a lot of job satisfaction and a lot of fun."

Margaret Rose Richardson, of Whitley Bay, accepts an MBE for her services to the community in North Tyneside.

Northumbria Police's Chief Constable Mike Craik receives the Queens Police Award. Since taking over the post in April, the 50-year-old has won praise for his total policing approach which includes the Don't Spoil the Party campaign.

He said: "I am delighted to receive this award which I see as an acknowledgement of the success of the force as well as the hard work and commitment of all police officers and staff in recent years."

Durham Constabulary's Ian Parks was also given an MBE for services to the police. …